HTC’s Windows Phone 8X is the first WP8 device to receive an OTA update, a feature Microsoft touted as essential to the platform’s future ubiquity. Not being tethered to a computer for updates and syncing is one of the foremost examples of the “post-PC” existence, and Windows Phone was the last major mobile OS to implement this.

The contents of the update itself are just as important, however: this is the first Windows Phone 8 device to bring the long-awaited “always-on” WiFi to the platform. Previously, and often infuriatingly, Windows Phone would disable the WiFi signal when the screen was off, leading to instances of lost connectivity and service interruption, especially if the user was not close to a cellular signal.

There are a few other notable additions in this release, including a “Reject with SMS” message when denying an incoming call. Users can now delete text messages en masse and save draft messages, features that arguably should have been included in the OS’s release.

The update is currently only rolling out to international 8X devices, but it should hit Canadian carriers in the coming days.

Wow, I’m so glad I haven’t bought a Windows Phone. Not being able to have WiFi on when the screen is off would have made me return the thing the first day

It’s nice to see the platform evolving, but it’s disapointing that it needed to evolve for such a fundimental feature

Brandon

I agree. I’ve never owned a windows phone, but to know that WiFi was that bad, I feel bad for consumers that had to deal with that. Nice that it’s in the past, but shouldn’t have been there in the first place.

blackprince

Devs came to the rescue and released an app for that issue. Been out for months.

Rich

Shut up and take my money!

COBwiggy

What annoys me most with my 8S is that it doesn’t remember my home Wifi password, so I have to enter it every single time I want to connect to Wifi

jack

Umm.. update that too please.

Thomas

And Telus has still yet to release a WP8 device. Pathetic.

Hilman

The nerve of TELUS not bringing in handsets of a platform that no one buys!!! Blasphemy!!!!

Thomas

Hilman:

Based on all the complaining on this site lately, I’d have to say you’re wrong.

Alex Davies

Don’t forget the 8S already has this update out of the box, so, from a software perspective, the lowest-end Windows Phone is actually the best one right now (since how long do think it will take Robell to approve the 8X update?)

jack

For a Windows product, always wait for SP1. ALWAYS!

KimJong-iil

looks like someone was cheating on their battery life 😛

expect “my battery isnt lasting as long as it used to be” onslaught from the HUNDREDS of Win8 phone users !!

Morgan Freeman Lookalike

Sounds like i’m not missing anything with windows phone. haven’t you guys all used windows on a computer?? viruses, bugs, errors, BLUE SCREENS.

enjoy your windows phones

stalin

Apps already had the ability to keep WiFi alive, the only thing this affects is push notifications over WiFi.

Matthew

Super so I trust that those of you with negative comments will withdraw your names from contention for the day that an 8X is set to be awarded by this site.

Down Like Pacquiao

WP8 > BB10

jack

“What you talkin about Willis?” 10 > 8

STY

Where’s the “love”/ meaning update for Windows 7X devices? So expect to buy your 8X device knowing full well, when they do a 9X, you’ll be left behind.